Soundcards and Speakers

Auzentech Cappuccino EX Sneak Peek

The audio market is constantly expanding and evolving with new products for the internal and external market places. We always do what we can to bring our readers the latest and greatest information on upcoming audio products for their audio systems. So without further delays, lets get to the good stuff shall we?
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AXIOM M2 v3 Bookshelf Speaker Review

Today in the Guru3D Audio Lab we have a new set of AXIOM M2 v3 bookshelf speakers to run through our lab. With the new flagship cards such as the Essence series, CL Titanium HD and the Auzentech offerings, putting out great sound, you also need great playback equipment for excellent sound. Your speakers are just as important as your sound source and as the saying goes; your chain is only as strong as your weakest link.
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Firestone Audio Bravo DP and Spitfire MKII DAC Review

According to Firestone Audio, their Bravo Digital Processor can convert USB to S/Pdif and also cleans and reclocks the S/PDIF signal producing a superior signal for your analog to digital converter. We have been working with many different S/Pdif based products in the Guru3D Audio Lab for quite awhile now so we are excited to have a look at the Bravo and use it for some testing. FSA also just released the second version of their popular Spitfire Digital to Analog Converter, known as the MKII version.
So without any further delay, lets have a look at the Bravo Digital Processor and the Spitfire MKII Digital to Analog converter.
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Pure Piper A-1 DAC review

From time to time we hear of devices that are considered promising by other audio nuts. As the hobby of audio is more of a passion to many of us, we have to check out these devices to see or rather hear what all the fanfare is about. The PurePiper A-1 DAC is one such device that has been the topic of discussion around many of the audio circles recently. The PurePiper A-1 is said to offer excellent sound quality in comparison to the budget minded price of the device. Who is PurePiper you are probably wondering?
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Corsair SP2500 speaker review

Armed with a phat sub, two satellite speakers and a very dandy LCD control DSP unit we'll today have a look at that Corsair Gaming Audio SP2500 speaker kit. It definitely surprised us away in terms of audio quality.

Auzen X-Meridian 7.1 2g soundcard review

With a name like X-Meridian 2G, the guys at Auzentech have a tough act to follow, is the design up to the task? Today in the Guru3D Audio Lab we have a brand new Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G, so let's get to it and see if Auzentech can release a new version of a legendary audio card.
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Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD review

The SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium HD. This card has many aspects in common with existing X-FI designs and a few new features and modifications to appeal to the newer crop of demanding soundcards enthusiasts.

Corsair HS1 and Sharkoon Xtatic SP Review

Almost a necessity these days, a good headset can mean the difference between a win and a lose. Today we test a pair of headsets from Corsair and Sharkoon, the HS1 and the Xtatic SP. The Sharkoon are aimed at console players, nicely plush and padded, they kick out some serious bass. The HS1, however, are the best headset we've tested, plush and comfortable, they did everything a headset is supposed to do, and they did it very well.

FireStone Preamp and Big Joe IV review

Hailing from Taiwan, the Firestone audio company is starting to gain a lot of ground in the audio community in North America. Looking through their current sonic line up we see audio components that seem to truly be designed for the desktop audio enthusiast offering big sound in a small footprint. The word in the audio community is these guys dont play when it comes to audio. Their component are built tough and above all else built to sound great. Today, in the Guru3D Audio Lab we have two new products we can review. First we have the Mass Preamp and the Big Joe IV Class D Mono Blocks. We are excited to have a listen to these new components so lets get to the good stuff shall we?
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ASUS CineVibe Rumble Feedback USB Gaming Headset review

The ASUS CineVibe Rumble Feedback USB Gaming Headset are a mid-price headset that are actually pretty good and well worth the money. You can buy better headphones for more money, but that costs, well, more money. And these certainly have a lot of bass, so if you\'re into a lot of thump, the ASUS CineVibe will satisfy.
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Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G Preview

We have an exclusive sneak preview of the Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G soundcard. This card also marks a move back to the highly popular 8788 based chipset (at least for this model) that has been seen on some of the best sounding cards built to date. This card has many of the original ideas that made the XM 7.1 so popular but also has some changes that will appeal to different user types. The card is also aimed at a lower price point with a MSRP of $159.99 which appeals to a larger audience.
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ASUS Xonar Essence ST DeLuxe review

We test and review the Xonar Essence ST Deluxe 7.1 soundcard. Yes, you read it right, the full deluxe model! ASUS has been relentless with its R&D and soundcard releases, putting out one high end card after another. The Essence models are considered the current undisputed kings of the Xonar series of soundcards. We are quite excited to see what the Essence ST offers over the STX and in general. So, lets pull out the Xonar Essence ST Deluxe 7.1 and have a look and a listen.
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Beresford TC-7520 DAC amplifier review

From time to time in the Guru3D Audio Lab we will be taking a look at some examples of external equipment for people interested in these areas of PC based audio. There is an entire market of high end external components that can be used with a PC, devices such as external speaker amps, headphone amps, DACs and high end S/Pdif sources. Today a new package arrived here at the G3D Audio Lab. Inside this package is a brand new Beresford TC-7520 24/96 Digital to Analog Converter unit partnered up with an AudioQuest VDM-Xi S/Pdif cable.
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Xonar Xense Soundcard Preview

Xonar Xense Soundcard Preview - There has been a lot of fanfare surrounding this card. Although it seems there are some pictures of a static model from a recent hardware show, the Guru3D Audio Lab wanted to wait until the design was solidified and we could have a listen and look over a working card ourselves.
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Arctic Sound E352 review

We test the Arctic Cooling Arctic Sound E352 Earbuds. The E352 in-ear buds tested today are advertised to offer sound quality, noise isolation and bass advantages over other offerings from the competition. As such they promise a higher quality than what is provided by your typical pair of earbuds. Let's have a look at the product and lend it an ear or two.
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Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1 review

A review and test on the Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1 We quite enjoyed the sound of this card; it has a very musical profile that makes you want to listen to the next song or play the next game.
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Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1e X-Fi Audio Card

Based on Creative's PCIe X-Fi chipset, the Prodigy 7.1e keeps sound quality high and prices low for a superior value. It may be a no-frills sound card, it has features that a gamer would want like OpenAL and a stable driver, but also for audiophiles in upgradable opamps and a dedicated headphone out. Solid value.
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Auzentech X-Fi Home Theater HD 7.1 Soundcard review

Auzentech has been developing an HDMI soundcard for quite a while and this new card is said to be loaded with features for any audio tasks. Today in the Guru3D audio lab, we have a brand spanking new Auzentech Home Theater HD 7.1. This ongoing one-upmanship between existing companies is what drives the soundcard market and ensures new products are higher quality and offers new and innovative features to the audio community. The HDMI standard is still considered new in the PC landscape, and while many GFX cards offer HDMI options for graphics the audio side of the standard has been ignored and is lacking. We are going to run this card through our extensive testing and measuring regimen to let our readers know exactly what you will be getting for your hard earned audio dollars.
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AV123 ELT 525M 2.0 speaker kit review

Many PC audio lovers have their system connected to high quality home theater systems or high grade Bookshelf speakers for stereo audition. It would seem that more and more PC users are moving up the audio ladder to these high end systems. AV123 sent us a complete stereo monitoring system comprised of their ELT 525 Mini-Monitors in a Cherry Finish, a Class-D speaker amplifier from Tweak City Audio and last but not least some Matrix-2 speaker cables from Ultra Link to tie the system together.
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Auzentech X-Fi Bravura 7.1 Sneak Peak

We have done it again and we have a worlds first exclusive look at upcoming Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1 PCI-E Audio Interface. Please understand this card is in the very early stages of development and the board design and final design are subject to change. Without further delays, lets get to the good stuff shall we ?
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Windy 6 FireWire audio interface review

Today, we will be looking at a new product from Infrasonic, namely the Windy6 Firewire recording interface. We have this new interface in the Guru3D audio Lab and we are interested in running it through its paces and gauging what this new audio product has to offer the PC audio community. One last note this is a Guru3d Audio Lab exclusive as this interface is still unreleased in North America at press time.
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Auzentech X-fi Forte 7.1 Soundcard review | test

Today in our audio lab we have the new Auzentech X-fi Forte 7.1 soundcard ready to be put through our considerable, majestic yet always fair tests. Let's see what Auzentech sent over shall we?
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ASUS Xonar Essence ST Sneak Preview | test

The PC audio market has been churning out some great new high fidelity soundcards lately. A good example here is the recent release of the new Essence STX headphone card, which stirred up the audio community and caught the attention of people who usually look for external headphone amplifiers. Some of you may know there were rumors of ASUS expanding the Essence Line-up with possibly a PCI model. Guru3D has the prototype the engineering sample of the Essence ST in our audio lab today, and will bring you a sneak preview on it.
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